Personal First Aid and Drug Kit

The basic things that you should always bring are the following: gauze, tape, aspirin, medicated soap, antibiotic ointment, antacid tablets, some antibiotics, pain killers, eye treatments, and anaphylaxis kit, Imodium, Compazine and Diamox.

We suggest you bring the following medical items. Please discuss this with your physician prior to coming on this expedition.

Intestinal disorders: Compazine. 25mg rectal suppositories, for severe nausea, vomiting. Imodium to decrease diarrhea and cramping. Tetracycline, Cipro or Bactrin antibiotics for initial treatment of severe diarrhea. Activated charcoal has proven to be an effective first stage treatment.

Cuts and scrapes: It s wise to bring a supply of “Band-Aids” to treat those abrasions that sometimes occur.

Infections: Antibiotic ointment for cuts and abrasions. Erythromycin or amoxicillin tablets for skin or soft tissue infections.

Blisters: It is wise to bring your own small supply of blister treatment items to insure that you avoid letting any blister get out of hand.

Headaches: Tylenol and Tylenol with codeine** to help relieve possible altitude headaches. Nothing stronger than codeine should be taken for fear of masking potential severe altitude problems while on the mountain.

Insomnia: Halcion** 15mg tablets. In high altitude mountaineering restlessness is not uncommon and sleep is very important. Halcion is a light sleeping pill; we do not recommend using any sleeping pills above 15,000 feet.

High Altitude Sickness: Diamox** (acetazolamide) 250mg tablets to be taken twice a day from 13,000 feet to the top. This drug is widely used in high altitude mountaineering and is very highly recommended.